The Rector of Antalya
Bilim University, Prof. Dr. Semih EKERCİN, and the Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Hülya
ŞİMGA attended the event titled "Science Diplomacy on the Road to COP31:
Academic Launch," organized by the Council of Higher Education (YÖK).
Held with the
participation of the COP31 President and Minister of Environment, Urbanization
and Climate Change, Murat KURUM, the program addressed the role of universities
in the COP31 process, the significance of science diplomacy, and the impact of
academic research on climate policy.
In his speech, Minister
KURUM announced that the Council of Higher Education is the "Academic
Ambassador of COP31," stating that partnerships with universities would
strengthen both the scientific quality and the implementation capacity of the
COP31 Presidency.
Noting that COP31
preparations are advancing through a comprehensive consultation process
involving all segments of society, Minister KURUM stated that the process is
built on three core values: "dialogue, consensus, and action."
Expressing their goal of making COP31 an "implementation COP" - one
that goes beyond words to actual practice - KURUM underlined the significance
of turning scientific knowledge into technology and commitments into concrete
results in the field.
Further emphasizing their
intention to bring universities’ knowledge, research capacity and skilled human
resources together with COP31’s decision-making, technology, project, and
implementation processes, Minister KURUM stated that research networks to be
established among universities, joint laboratories, and collaborations among
young researchers would significantly contribute to Türkiye’s presence on the
international stage.
Cooperation with Universities
in Four Main Areas
Minister KURUM stated
that cooperation with universities may proceed in four main areas, namely, launching
joint transformation initiatives on campuses, building joint research capacity
in climate technologies, achieving a stronger position in international science
networks, and placing young researchers at the center of the COP31 process.
Noting that it would be
worthwhile to prepare "Türkiye’s Competence Map for Climate Science and
Technology" showcasing universities’ expertise in the climate field, their
laboratories and their implementation-ready projects, KURUM stated that
universities could be brought together with public institutions, local
governments, the private sector, and international financial institutions
through calls for joint projects and pilot initiatives.
Minister KURUM expressed that
COP31 should serve as a strong starting point where new ideas turn into
projects, projects into investments, scientific knowledge into technology and
decisions into practice in the field, and invited universities to jointly shape
the scientific vision of Türkiye’s COP31 Presidency.
Also attended by the
Rector of Antalya Bilim University, Prof. Dr. Semih EKERCİN, and Vice Rector
Prof. Dr. Hülya ŞİMGA, the program concluded with remarks on strengthening the
role of universities in tackling climate change and in sustainability,
scientific research, and technology development processes.
